Hossam Hassan criticises Egypt’s FA for opting to hire foreign coach

Al Masry coach Hossam Hassan believes the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) are making the wrong decision by neglecting Egyptian coaches in their national team manager selection process. 

The EFA have assigned the selection of Hector Cuper’s successor to board member Hazem Emam, with several reports claiming that Egypt will appoint Morocco manager Hervé Renard as the team’s new head coach.

“With respect to everyone, Hazem is like a little brother to me, but is it logical to rely on him to determine who will be coaching the Egyptian national team?” Hassan said in an interview with LTC satellite channel.

“Hazem Emam has traveled to France to look for foreign high-wage earners such as Renard. I do not know why we are insisting on hiring foreign coaches.

“Hany Abou-Rida [President of the Football Association] ignored big names such as Taha Ismail, Mahmoud Saad, Farouk Gaafar and Hassan Shehata, as he is determined on hiring a foreign coach that would cost Egypt millions of pounds.”

“The new coach should be chosen by the Egyptian fans, the critics and the experts. We need someone to lead this nation from those who played for the Egyptian team back in the 1990s.”

Several voices and pundits have already suggested the appointment of Hassan as the Pharaohs’ new coach following his impressive spell with the Port Said-based club.

“I would like to thank all those who believed I could lead the national team,” said Hassan. “We have to give an opportunity to an Egyptian coach, just like we previously relied on Mahmoud El-Gohary and Hassan Shehata.”